Thunder Bolts: Washington Wizards 102, Oklahoma City Thunder 96

Adam Luther

Sports Blogger

Wizards snap Thunder’s win streak

The Thunder (30-21) had a season-long eight-game win streak snapped with a 102-96 loss on the road against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. It was a tightly contested battle that featured 13 ties and 16 lead changes. Neither team found consistency on offense and shot under 40 percent from the field.

George efficient in loss

On a night when Russell Westbrook (13 points on 5-of-18 shooting from the field) and Carmelo Anthony (19 on 7-of-21 shooting from the field and 2-of-12 from 3-point range) struggled to find their rhythm offensively, Paul George, an All-Star small forward, picked up the slack. He poured in 28 on efficient 8-of-14 shooting from the field, 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range and 8-of-10 shooting from the free throw line. George didn’t register a shot attempt in the fourth quarter, though, as the Thunder failed to close out what could’ve been a ninth straight victory.

(Keith Allison, Flickr)

Turnover issues

Oklahoma City committed 20 turnovers against just 19 assists compared to the Wizards’ 27 assists on 12 turnovers. Three particularly costly giveaways during the fourth-quarter stretch run ultimately undid the Thunder.